Lens vs Monaco prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-02-24 12:00.
Following their midweek exit from the Europa League at the hands of Freiburg, Lens now have to quickly switch attention back to domestic action as they fight to qualify for UEFA football next season. A 1-1 draw at Reims saw them end the previous round occupying sixth place, two points behind opponents Monaco, but with red-hot Rennes now just two points behind them courtesy of an impressive six-game winning streak.
Despite the form of their chasers, Lens are unbeaten in league football (W3, D1) since Franck Haise stepped down as general manager to focus entirely on the first team, so they should really see this clash as an opportunity to leapfrog not only their next opponents, but even Lille and Nice into third, at least provisionally for a couple of hours. Standing in their way, however, is a winless Ligue 1 record (D1, L5) against the five teams beginning this weekend above them.
With no European action to juggle, Monaco have had the entire week to prepare for this fixture which could prove crucial as manager Adi Hütter bids to kickstart his side’s season and avoid a dramatic drop-off similar to the one that cost them continental football last season. They’ll travel into this one having won just one of their last five league outings (D2, L2) as well as suffering Coupe de France elimination by third-tier FC Rouen in that time too.
They can at least draw confidence from the sole victory in that run, because it came in their most recent Ligue 1 away trip and was against another club in contention for European football (3-2 at Nice). But any success here will likely hinge on how well Monaco can defend as a unit because they are on a healthy run of scoring 2+ goals in five consecutive league away trips (W3, D1, L1).
Players to watch: Wesley Saïd recorded his fifth goal of the league season last round, with three of the four prior to that opening Lens’ account at home. Monaco captain Wissam Ben Yedder returns from suspension with a record of four goals from his last six competitive appearances against Lens.
Hot stat: The last six H2Hs in all competitions produced over 2.5 match goals, whilst an equal league-high 15 of Monaco’s first 22 matches also had at least three goals.